civil rights

Happening Now: Supreme Court Hears First Of Two Gay-Marriage Cases

Mark Memmott — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:10:00 +0000

(Our most recent update was at 12:50 p.m. ET.)

In the first of two hearings on one of the nation's most controversial issues — same-sex marriage — Supreme Court justices on Tuesday poked holes in the arguments made by supporters and opponents of bans on gay marriage.

Dan Savage On Marriage

Jenna Montgomery — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:42:58 +0000

Dan Savage is a sex columnist, author, advocate and more. He is behind the It Gets Better project, an archive of hopeful videos aimed at troubled gay youth, and the author of "The Commitment: Love, Sex, Marriage and My Family." Savage talks to Ross Reynolds about marriage and what he plans to do now that same-sex marriage is legal in Washington state.

Gay Wedding Chapel At Seattle City Hall

Liz Jones — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 01:54:20 +0000

On the first day same-sex couples can get married in Washington state, Seattle City Hall will serve as a wedding chapel. Mayor Mike McGinn's office is playing the role of planner. On Monday, it posted the itinerary for a historic wedding ceremony on Dec. 9.

Washington Supreme Court Says Jury Selection Must Be Public

Phyllis Fletcher — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:31:03 +0000

The Supreme Court of Washington issued opinions on four cases Wednesday about how courts and judges interact with jurors. In three of the cases the Supreme Court ruled that jury selection has to happen in the open.

At Stroke Of Midnight, Gay Couples To Get Marriage Licenses

Liz Jones — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:22:11 +0000

King County plans to pull an all-nighter on the first day marriage licenses are available to same-sex couples under Washington state law. On Thursday, Dec. 6, at 12:01 a.m., the county is scheduled to open its licensing office in downtown Seattle.

Federal Judge Lets Veterans For Peace March In Auburn Parade

Amy Radil — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 01:48:21 +0000

US District Chief Judge Marsha Pechman said Veterans for Peace must be allowed to march in the Auburn Veterans Day parade Saturday. She called Auburn’s policy a textbook violation of the First Amendment.

The city of Auburn’s Veterans Day parade is one of the largest in the country. It started during the Vietnam War. The group Veterans for Peace started marching in the parade during the Iraq war. They hold signs saying “bring the troops home.”

The Biblical Case For Same-Sex Marriage

David Hyde — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Gene Robinson was the first openly gay bishop in a major Christian denomination. We’ll hear his personal story and find out why he thinks Christian critics of same-sex marriage are misreading the Bible.

Campaigns For And Against Gay Marriage Bank On Opposite Strategies

Liz Jones — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:08:31 +0000

Washington is one of four states that will vote on same-sex marriage in just a few weeks. History is on the line, as one of these states could be the first to approve gay marriage by a vote of the people. The campaigns on both sides are intensifying efforts to connect with voters but there’s a stark contrast in their strategies.

Here, gay marriage opponents have set up their campaign headquarters in a quiet strip mall just off I-5 in Lynnwood. Their office is tucked in next to a hair salon, a dry cleaners and a chain pizza restaurant.

Same-Sex Marriage Mailers Raise Some Eyebrows

Liz Jones — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:26:15 +0000

Some senior citizens in Washington recently got a flyer in the mail from same-sex marriage supporters. It says approval of Referendum 74 will preserve domestic partnerships for seniors. Gay marriage opponents call the ad a misleading scare tactic.

The campaign backing same-sex marriage paid for the mailer. It’s targeting seniors because Referendum 74 touches on domestic partnerships between straight couples who are are 62 or older and living together.

Checking The Facts Behind The Ads On Both Sides Of Wash. Same-Sex Marriage

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Ballots go out in Washington and Oregon at the end of the week of October 15. Last minute money is pouring into the ballot fight over same–sex marriage in Washington. Those dollars are buying television ads on both sides of the issue. So what claims are the campaigns making? Olympia Correspondent Austin Jenkins takes a closer look.